The application season for the Fiscal Year 2024 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season is now open, allowing New Jersey residents to apply for the LIHEAP and other utility assistance programs, which are available to help with utility bills.
LIHEAP is one of several state programs provided to help New Jersey households in need with basic resources such as housing and heating to promote long-term physical well-being.
These programs include LIHEAP, which is a federal program that helps households at or below 60 percent of the state median income ($7,069 a month for a family of four) pay for energy costs (electric, gas, deliverable fuels, and those included in rent), and the Universal Service Fund (USF) program, which provides a monthly credit on electric and gas bills for households at or below 60 percent of the state median income ($84,830 a year for a family of four).
To qualify for USF, the household must pay more than 2 percent of its annual income for electric or for natural gas. If a household has electric heat, it must spend more than 4% of its annual income on electricity to be eligible.
Households can visit the DCAid portal at www.nj.gov/dca/dcaid to submit an application for LIHEAP or other assistance programs.
The DCAid portal has a tool for residents to check what other benefits they may qualify for.
Residents who do not have access to computers or the internet can call 1-800-510-3102 to be directed to one of the community action agencies partnering with DCA to assist them with starting, completing, and submitting an application online.
A list of the community organizations providing such assistance is available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/
LIHEAP applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and assistance is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so applicants should not wait to apply.
See the chart below for the income eligibility limits.
Any additional member after 12: for HEA add $213 a month; for USF $213.
DCA AID is waste of time. I applied last year and ten month later my benefit for 2022 heating season is still pending , even since heap office in lakewood closed during covid there is no one to talk to and office in Toms River doesn’t asker calls . DCA aid jus sends it to local office in lakewood are and they know nothing
You can call them at 609 549 5822 or email them at [email protected]